Towards the end of the 15th century, humanity entered the Age of Exploration. The Portuguese embarked upon a series of voyages over vast distances, ultimately leading to the establishment of new maritime routes connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia. Through the traditional commercial networks of Southeast Asia, the Portuguese established trade links with China. Chinese ceramics, renowned for their captivating Eastern charm and craftsmanship, captured the attention of European nobles. Before long, this pottery became a significant export along the new Eastern routes.
Once Macao was established as a trade hub, the ceramic trade between China and Portugal flourished. The city became a veritable crossroads between the Chinese and Western civilisations against the backdrop of globalisation we recognise today. Chinese porcelain, transported from Macao to various locations across the world, played a crucial role as a medium for cultural exchange between the East and the West.
In the 17th century, direct diplomatic relations were established between the Qing court and the Portuguese royal family. These exchanges of envoys and court missionaries wove a cultural network that spanned across the oceans, showcasing the communication and interaction between distant and diverse civilisations.
This exhibition features exquisite collections from the Palace Museum, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and Portugal’s National Museum of Ancient Art, Orient Foundation/Museum of the Orient, and Ajuda Library. These collections showcase the historical trajectory of the maritime ceramic trade and highlight the numerous Sino-Portuguese cultural exchanges between the 16thand 19th centuries. Furthermore, the exhibition explores Macao’s role as a key trade hub, examining both the collision and fusion of Eastern and Western civilisations as represented by the impactful cultural exchanges between China and Portugal.